A quick turnaround from the Taupo round saw the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series running one week later in the Mitre10 Mega Summer Series at Circuit Chris Amon at Manfeild. Coming into this round Rex Edwards had a healthy lead in the North Island Championship. Plenty of action over the races saw him manage to extend this further.
Qualifying on Saturday had Ben Stewart take pole position with a 1:18.010 over Simon Baker in 2nd and Leo Bult in 3rd. Rex Edwards was 4th on the grid with a 1:18.512. Not much between the top four but ultimately it was Stewart that took home the Premier Insulation Pole Position prize once again.
Race 1 on Saturday afternoon and a great start from Leo Bult saw him sweep into first place. Ben Stewart didn’t waste any time though coming straight back to reclaim first place and Simon Baker taking his opportunity to move up into 2nd. The podium for race 1 was Stewart 1st, Baker 2nd and Bult 3rd with great racing throughout. Championship contender Rex Edwards crossing the line in 4th place. Karl Gaines received a drive through for wheels over track limits which had an effect on his result but ultimately not his weekend overall.
Reverse top 10 grid for Race 2 and turn 1 carnage. Simon Teagle started off pole and got away cleanly, it’s fair to say he was a little apprehensive. A racing incident saw Ben Stewart into the back of Sam Dashfield which triggered the safety car which ultimately became a red flag. Once racing resumed it was on an oily track which caught a few drivers out at the hairpin. Steve Spear and Callum Davies taking good advantage of this to drive the inside line and ultimately take 5th and 6th in the race. Anthony Tork and Rex Edwards recorded DNF’s. Ultimately and unfortunately it was the end of the weekend for Ben Stewart, Sam Dashfield and Anthony Tork. Leo Bult took the win for this race with Simon Baker 2nd and Karl Gaines 3rd.
Race 3 and a very greasy track following the NZ Super Trucks. Two warm up laps to help clean off the diesel and rubber laid down and racing was underway. Good clean racing right across the field with Simon Baker and Leo Bult leading the charge and taking 1st and 2nd with Karl Gaines not far behind in 3rd.
Overall the weekend went to Simon Baker with Leo Bult finishing just 7 points behind for 2nd. Despite his drive through penalty in race 1 Karl Gaines drove superbly to take 3rd spot overall.
From here the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series now moves to the final round of the North Island Championship at Hampton Downs on the 22nd to 24th April.
Overall Points
Driver Points
1/ Rex Edwards 744
2/ Leo Bult 695
3/ Ben Stewart 639
4/ Terry Edwards 593
5/ Matthew Horne 566
6/ Karl Gaines 559
7/ Steve Brown 463
8/ Sam Dashfield 419
9/ Steven Spear 395
10/ Simon Baker 349
11/ Nigel Edger 338
12/ Steve Fistonich 322
13/ Andrew Jackson 304
14/ Elton Wichman 238
15/ Mark Stockton 230
16/ Simon Teagle 204
17/ Callum Davies 198
18/ David Atkins 165
19/ Scott Davies 158
20/ Phil Clemas 142
21/ Warren Crowther 109
22/ Anthony Tork 104
23/ James Parker 73
24/ David Roper 58
25/ Jared Leith 33
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